LOVE IS IN THE AIR…Here on South Bass Island! We have a lot to celebrate this month at the Senior Center. First and foremost, ICE FISHING has begun!!! You can feel the excitement everywhere you go on the island. Even in our Strength Training Class, our dreaded “Squats” are now cheerfully referred to as “The Walleye Squats” (for obvious reasons)!!! You can’t help but get all wrapped up in the fun.

Speaking of fun, we’d like to invite you to join us at the Senior Center for one of our many activities. We aren’t your “normal/typical” Senior Center!!! And I mean that in the nicest way. There is nothing typical about the seniors that live here on the rock. These guys are a tough breed! You’d truly be amazed at their energy and zest for life. Everyone here seems to follow the same motto: “EMBRACE WELLNESS IN OUR LIVES AND LIVE EACH DAY WITH PASSION.” With this in mind, we’ve tried to design a “well rounded” program that would benefit all walks of life.

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9 a.m. is our Strength Training Class. We start the class off with a 10-minute “Cardio” session, then about 45 to 50 minutes of “Strength Training” using free weight dumbbells. We sometimes mix “Core Strengthening Balls” into the routine. Our class focuses on four main target areas: Strength, Balance, Flexibility, and Endurance. Good muscle strength can have obvious benefits in your daily activities – when lifting grocery bags, gardening or shoveling snow, for example – and can give you increased stamina and self-confidence. Exercise is especially crucial for maintaining a strong back and protecting it from injury. Lower back pain often results from weakness of back muscles and abdominal muscles. Poor posture and a lack of hip flexibility can also contribute to back problems, and strength training may help improve both these attributes. I could go on and on about the importance of strength training- the benefits are endless.

After class, we all stick around for a “Coffee Social.” We’ve really bumped it up a notch…keeping with our “Living Longer and Healthier” theme, we’ve added lots of nutritious items to the menu. Along with coffee and tea, we serve fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt and granola, an array of healthy whole grain, oat and fiber cereals, hard boiled eggs, bagels and cream cheese… Well, you get the idea – lots of good stuff. And for those of you who like your sweets, don’t worry, there’s always some kind of pastry to satisfy your sweet tooth. If water is your thing…Aquamotion (Water Aerobics) is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at The Crew’s Nest Pool. Speaking from personal experience, if you’ve ever had back surgery, knee or hip replacement, joint pain or arthritis…Water Therapy is WONDERFUL! Most physicians will recommend some type of water therapy after an injury or surgery. We start at 8:30 a.m. with walking laps through the pool, then Aquamotion at 9 a.m. If you have any questions about our fitness classes, please do not hesitate to call the center.

Friday, February 11th at 10 a.m., Mrs. Rence’s French Class will be joining us for a “Very Special French Valentine Social.” I don’t want to spoil the surprise, so you’ll just have to come on the 11th. Our Senior $3 LUNCH at a Put-in-Bay Restuarant will be Thursday the 3rd, 10th, and 24th at 12 noon. Please call the Senior Center to RSVP if you plan on attending or would like a Home Delivered Meal. The American Legion will be holding their monthly meeting and lunch on Thursday, February 17th at the Senior
Center. All Vets are welcome to attend.

Lastly, The Ottawa County Health Department will be at our Senior Center on Thursday, February 24th at the 60+ Health Clinic. This is a FREE Health Clinic for anyone 60 years of age or older. If you would like an appointment or have any questions regarding the clinic, please call the center. Wishing you lots of love and happiness on Valentine’s Day and always! xoxo Hugs and Kisses, Candy Pucci.